The Color of Election

The election is over, and America’s attention is once again focused on the elected men and women to lead this country and maintain the greatness of its legacy. How do we do this though when we just endured some of the vilest divisiveness our nation has ever seen? Most of us are so punch drunk from all of the vitriolic propaganda that invaded our lives for the last 18 months, that some of us cast our vote to relieve the sheer political fatigue we felt as opposed to our political convictions.

Should elections be predicated on intrinsic elements such as fear and hate? Has American politics become such a despicable effort that only proficiency in mudslinging and name calling can sufficiently catalyze a candidate to the apex? 

This last election should prove to be the straw on the back of the proverbial camel for most, and most assuredly will prove to be a moment in an epoch that our children and their children will study ad nauseum. The issue is not the overt actions of the candidates, their parties and the organizations and media outlets that supported them, yet the caustic currents that ran beneath them, creating an undertow of misdirection and sleight of hands, using feeding frenzies of hate and anger as impetus to action.

It is disturbing to me that a country whose premise inherent by the very nature of its name “United States”, can shrug off the fact that the Country continues to perpetuate color as a deciding factor. It should be detestable for anyone to associate their feelings merely with a color of preference, condemning others for not sharing their ideals or convictions. Further, the fact that color can be used to illustrate borders not only reaffirms the divide but places a clear distinction on where the enemy resides. It has become an all or nothing affair – compromise is not an option! 

Indefensible!

Oddly enough in war one method to intimidate your opponent and their constituents is to use psychological tactics. One way this is done is by infiltrating the borders of your enemy and dropping propaganda by air, articulating points that are designed to break the spirit of said enemy and destroy their resolve to fight, because defeat was imminent. Sound familiar? Well, it should. This is a tactic that our politicians have resorted to. The Country has been divided in such a way, both figuratively and literally, that each party knows where the enemy resides (red states and blue states) and where their efforts should be focused to gain influence and secure defeat – though not by air -- television, internet, radio and other contemporary media is used to infiltrate the borders now. This technique would not be remarkable, however, if the information shared was salient rhetoric articulating what actions are best for the country. Yet, unfortunately, these efforts often espouse caustic attacks on the opponent, using hate and anger to defile another.

Viscerally, I know America should not work this way. Politicians should be people of integrity who respect their entrusted positions of power and influence, using their collective intellect to strengthen this great nation by crafting policies and legislation that ensure all American’s are afforded a fair share at attaining a comfortable life. Because in truth, a nation that argues over tenets that ostensibly focus on the haves and the have-nots is a nation divided.

I am not defined by a color, nor do I look across the fence and define my neighbor by a color. It amazes me that as a nation we have condemned hoodlums for fighting each other over colors, admonishing them for dismissing civility, failing to see and know the person first before they hate, attack, or kill. Yet, sadly, I see this as being analogous to contemporary politics in America. Honestly, I cringe when I hear the media define me by a color. For history has taught me that segregation by color is hurtful and wrong. I am not blue nor am I red, I am American – and I hope the next election affords me the opportunity to vote for someone who first and foremost is the same.

S. McGill

One of the most powerful things in the world can be obtained and used liberally by anyone who chooses to use it.  "If" can be the beginning of something great or the acquiescence to defeat. How will you use your "if"?